Hi all!
I am new to this forum, so please let me know if this is answered elsewhere. I tried searching but got bogged down with threads. Thank you!
I live in San Diego and I am looking to replace my current adventure vehicles: 1989 GMC K2500 with 130k miles. 1996 GMC Suburban k1500 with 155k miles.
My past adventure vehicles have been:
1. 1995 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4x4.
2. 1993 Chevy K1500 350 v-8 5-speed.
3. 1988 Toyota 22R-E Pickup. 5 speed. Camper shell. This took me across country numerous times during the summer in college. I regret selling it...
4. 2005 Honda Element EX AWD.
5. 1983 FJ60. Should have never sold it...
6. 1997 GMC Suburban k1500.
7. 1997 Chevy Tahoe k1500.
8. 1997 Dodge 2500 4x4 w/Lance Squire. 360 v-8 total fuel hog.
9. 2011 Honda Pilot EX-L 2wd. Wife's care. TRIED to make it work... but, no dice.
10. 1989 GMC K2500. I will probably regret selling it...
11. 1996 GMC Suburban k1500. I love this thing. Trying to convince my wife we still will need it...
I have had really good luck with the GMT400 platform and aside from the typical wiring, power steering, HVAC, etc problems, they have all been very reliable and reasonably capable. I had transmission problems with my 1997 Ram, and the fuel economy was terrible!
We have a 2 year old and tent camping out of the Suburban has been good, but we are ready to upgrade to a hard camper.
We have been looking at travel trailers, but that purchase will have to wait.
I can get a truck for business, and I can write it off for taxes. I am a Realtor and I work with developers, investors, and occasionally I sell a few large land parcels in undeveloped areas (by far the MOST fun properties to sell!).
I drive a 2016 Lexus for my "Realtor" car and I can't get rid of that because I love writing off the lease and it's a large, comfortable sedan, which some of my clientele needs.
I use the Suburban mostly for land sales, surfing, camping, etc but it's definitely showing it's age for a "professional" vehicle.
I barely drive the truck. Most of the time I lend it out to clients and friends because it's a reliable "beater". Sometimes I haul gravel or trash from remodeling.
ANYWAY!...
I have narrowed down a new truck to either:
2016 Ram 2500 Crew Cab Laramie Diesel with the rear air suspension.
2016 GMC 2500 Denali Diesel.
Both with 6' beds, 4x4, 5th wheel prep, etc.
I want to put a Lance or other over-cab hard-sided camper in it, and eventually tow a travel trailer.
I like the 2500's because I prefer the way they drive (especially if roads are bumpy with clients). I really like the idea of the air bags on the RAM and the Cummins.
Ram pros are:
Cummins
Solid Axle
Air Bags
Ram cons are:
Transmission
Quality problems
GMC pros are:
Nice cabin
Great ride
Trusted brand
GMC cons are:
IFS
Duramax quality
No rear air vents. ******... it's a $70k truck and there's no vents for the back seat?!
I am not considering Ford for their engine problems, frame twist, interior quality, no LATCH system for child seat... etc.
Thank you all for your help and insight. I appreciate any personal experiences you have had with either truck and anything I should be aware of when buying the particular truck, or known weak spots that I should keep an eye on.
*BTW let me know if you are interested in buying either the 1989 k2500 or the 1996 Suburban. Each has great maintenance records and light use.*
I am new to this forum, so please let me know if this is answered elsewhere. I tried searching but got bogged down with threads. Thank you!
I live in San Diego and I am looking to replace my current adventure vehicles: 1989 GMC K2500 with 130k miles. 1996 GMC Suburban k1500 with 155k miles.
My past adventure vehicles have been:
1. 1995 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4x4.
2. 1993 Chevy K1500 350 v-8 5-speed.
3. 1988 Toyota 22R-E Pickup. 5 speed. Camper shell. This took me across country numerous times during the summer in college. I regret selling it...
4. 2005 Honda Element EX AWD.
5. 1983 FJ60. Should have never sold it...
6. 1997 GMC Suburban k1500.
7. 1997 Chevy Tahoe k1500.
8. 1997 Dodge 2500 4x4 w/Lance Squire. 360 v-8 total fuel hog.
9. 2011 Honda Pilot EX-L 2wd. Wife's care. TRIED to make it work... but, no dice.
10. 1989 GMC K2500. I will probably regret selling it...
11. 1996 GMC Suburban k1500. I love this thing. Trying to convince my wife we still will need it...
I have had really good luck with the GMT400 platform and aside from the typical wiring, power steering, HVAC, etc problems, they have all been very reliable and reasonably capable. I had transmission problems with my 1997 Ram, and the fuel economy was terrible!
We have a 2 year old and tent camping out of the Suburban has been good, but we are ready to upgrade to a hard camper.
We have been looking at travel trailers, but that purchase will have to wait.
I can get a truck for business, and I can write it off for taxes. I am a Realtor and I work with developers, investors, and occasionally I sell a few large land parcels in undeveloped areas (by far the MOST fun properties to sell!).
I drive a 2016 Lexus for my "Realtor" car and I can't get rid of that because I love writing off the lease and it's a large, comfortable sedan, which some of my clientele needs.
I use the Suburban mostly for land sales, surfing, camping, etc but it's definitely showing it's age for a "professional" vehicle.
I barely drive the truck. Most of the time I lend it out to clients and friends because it's a reliable "beater". Sometimes I haul gravel or trash from remodeling.
ANYWAY!...
I have narrowed down a new truck to either:
2016 Ram 2500 Crew Cab Laramie Diesel with the rear air suspension.
2016 GMC 2500 Denali Diesel.
Both with 6' beds, 4x4, 5th wheel prep, etc.
I want to put a Lance or other over-cab hard-sided camper in it, and eventually tow a travel trailer.
I like the 2500's because I prefer the way they drive (especially if roads are bumpy with clients). I really like the idea of the air bags on the RAM and the Cummins.
Ram pros are:
Cummins
Solid Axle
Air Bags
Ram cons are:
Transmission
Quality problems
GMC pros are:
Nice cabin
Great ride
Trusted brand
GMC cons are:
IFS
Duramax quality
No rear air vents. ******... it's a $70k truck and there's no vents for the back seat?!
I am not considering Ford for their engine problems, frame twist, interior quality, no LATCH system for child seat... etc.
Thank you all for your help and insight. I appreciate any personal experiences you have had with either truck and anything I should be aware of when buying the particular truck, or known weak spots that I should keep an eye on.
*BTW let me know if you are interested in buying either the 1989 k2500 or the 1996 Suburban. Each has great maintenance records and light use.*